'Sigh My Name Softly' was written in March 2009. For a long time all I had was the chorus, including the lyrics, while the rest of the song eluded me. Finally over a few hours the rest of the music came and, within another day or two, the remaining lyrics were done.
lyrics
You sigh my name softly
Then turn your back to me and into sleep disappear.
The sound of your breathing,
Its rise and fall, is now all I can hear.
Speech always fails
Some things will forever just have to be sung
There’s too much to say
But when the right words come they just stick to the back of my tongue
But my sanctified heart
Like a holy censer so recently rhythmically swung
Testifies with each beat
How I bathed in your water and came out redeemed, newly young
Newly young
Newly young
Now I understand
What you hold in your open hand
It may not seem like I've got a plan
But I do…
I’ll do what it takes to keep you.
All language has fled
And in this full-blooded silence I somehow love you more.
I forget how to breathe
My heart it quakes, my body shakes with this jugular roar.
My skin is aflame
And all flesh is strained by the storm that forms within.
This cacophony cries
Raging behind my eyes, killing all hope of sleep With its din
With its din
With its din
Now I understand
What you hold in your open hand
It may not seem like I've got a plan
But I do…
I’ll do what it takes to keep you.
Then you sigh my name softly
Your hand finds mine, fingers intertwine. You're so near.
The sound of your breathing,
Its rise and fall, is now all that I can hear.
Now I understand
What you hold in your open hand
It may not seem like I have a plan
Oh, but I do…
I’ll do anything to keep you.
I'll do anything to keep you.
I'll do anything to keep you.
credits
from Blood&Honey,
released May 13, 2010
Written and performed by Stephen Cluff.
Four indie-pop reflections on growth and loss from the Australian singer-songwriter, sustained by robust pianos and fervent vocals. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 29, 2024